Back up Question

[wardk]

I was looking for an alternative to electric back up, the garn has ports for 9 elements about 27 to 36 kw.I don,t need the back up to keep the house a normal temp , just keep it from freezing if I got away for a week or 2 in the winter. I have propane , would a propane instant hot water heater run through wtw exchanger work or would this exceed it's duty cycle?

 

[stee6043]

I don't think you'd need to do much of anything to keep a Garn from freezing in 2 weeks or less. Is your Garn insulated at all? In an insulated building?

 

[Frozen Canuck]

Agree with Stee. Not sure where you are in B.C. but if it's in an insulated building say R20 walls R40 ceiling or better & you put a sweater on the Garn (insulation wrap) again R20 or better. You will likely find that the only precaution you need is to leave the pump circulating to protect the underground lines from freezing. Big maybe on that.You could always test this assumption of mine out this winter by running your backup & letting your Garn cool down before you have to leave on vacation, at least that way you know = peace of mind.

 

[wardk]

Agree with Stee. Not sure where you are in B.C. but if it's in an insulated building say R20 walls R40 ceiling or better & you put a sweater on the Garn (insulation wrap) again R20 or better. You will likely find that the only precaution you need is to leave the pump circulating to protect the underground lines from freezing. Big maybe on that.You could always test this assumption of mine out this winter by running your backup & letting your Garn cool down before you have to leave on vacation, at least that way you know = peace of mind.

Havent insulated the biulding but am working on insulating the garn very well.